A FAMILY who lost more than £40,000 worth of goods after a devastating arson attack have thanked emergency services staff for saving their home.

Jeremy and Emma Clare, of Heol y Llwyni, Garth, were on holiday in Devon when their new caravan was torched by criminals late on Friday, October 19.

The fire spread to their adjoining garage, causing a gas canister to explode. The garage and a high-end Mercedes van inside were burned to a crisp and around 50 nearby houses had to be evacuated in the dead of night.

Police are yet to trace the culprits.

Last week, Mr and Mrs Clare, parents of children Lucy, Jessica and Matthew, told the Gazette they were “devastated” at what had happened.

This week, they spoke out again, saying they were “eternally grateful” for the heroic work of firefighters and other emergency services which ensured they did not lose their house as well.

A joint family letter to the Gazette said: “We would like to express our gratitude to the emergency services who all worked tirelessly on the night of the October 19, when our caravan, garage and car were set alight by arsonists.”

Eyewitnesses on the night described seeing firefighters standing on rooftops dousing flames with water despite the threat of more gas canisters on the burning caravan exploding.

“We are eternally grateful to them for saving our home in what was a very difficult night for all concerned,” the Clare family letter added.

“As a family, we have been overwhelmed by acts of kindness since the fire and would like to thank our family, friends and neighbours for their constant support and words of encouragement, which are making a very difficult time easier to bear. Thank you all.”

The October 19 fire came on the same night a car was set alight on Ewenny Road in Maesteg and two weeks after five vehicles were torched in one night in and around the Turberville Street area of Garth.

South Wales Police said they are yet to make any arrests and their investigation is ongoing.